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New and Updated Course Descriptions

SOC 209 - Environmental Sociology

3 Credits

An introduction to the key theoretical approaches and research within the field of environmental sociology, and an examination of the ongoing research on how environmental problems have roots in social processes, such as culture, community, social inequality, social organization and social structure. Students will examine how ideologies about the environment are socially constructed, as well as how political and institutional forces impact how we interact with the environment and respond to environmental problems. The class will examine contemporary environmental concerns and debates with a specific focus on how structural inequalities based on race, class, and gender impact access to environmental resources and exposure to environmental hazards. Students will develop a working knowledge of sociological research methods and theoretical perspectives in their analyses of the relationship between human societies and the physical environment.

Learning Attributes: WR, GR

New SUNY General Education:
SUNY - Diversity: Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice
SUNY - Social Sciences

MCC General Education: MCC-CT - Critical Thinking (MCT), MCC-SCI - Scientific Reasoning (MSCI), MCC-SSD - Social Science and Diversity (MSSD), MCC-GLO - Global Understanding (MGLO)

Course Learning Outcomes
1.Examine the development of environmental sociology as a discipline.
2.Define major concepts within environmental sociology.
3.Identify theoretical perspectives used in environmental sociology.
4.Analyze the social origins of current environmental problems.
5.Analyze the impact of environmental problems on human populations globally.
6.Apply sociological research methods to conduct new research in the discipline of environmental sociology.
7.Evaluate current environmental debates.
8.Evaluate the development of global environmental policies.
9.Examine the relationship between social inequalities based on race, class, and gender and access to environmental resources and exposure to environmental hazards.
10.Utilize writing to communicate an understanding, application, analysis or evaluation of material covered in this course.

Course Offered Fall

Use links below to see if this course is offered:
Fall Semester 2024
Spring Semester 2024
Summer Session 2024